By Jim Speirs, Executive Director, Arts South Dakota
As the situation in our state continues with a growing number of cases of COVID-19, most of us are trying to shelter in place to do our part to not spread the virus. We are all grateful to those essential services employees who continue to keep things going while so many of us work from home, help our children get their lessons done online and try to maintain a new normal in the face of something completely outside our experience.
With everything that’s going on, we need the arts more than ever. Our cultural ties help keep us grounded. Sharing creative experiences links us to others who share our interests. Learning new skills—or discovering our own creativity at home—occupies our minds in helpful, positive ways. We are fortunate that the Internet provides so many opportunities for us to stay connected to our friends and families, and to arts activities throughout our state as well.
The Arts South Dakota website is a great place to start for a variety of links, ideas and scheduled online cultural events. From free drawing lessons with artist Jessie Rasche to virtual concerts from the Sioux Falls Jazz and Blues Society and The Brickhouse in Madison to online art galleries from the South Dakota Art Museum, the Dahl and everywhere in between, you can immerse yourself in creative excitement anytime you choose.
Families are discovering that art projects can be a valuable pastime during this stay-at-home period. Creative activities boost educational goals and can be a time of sharing for parents and children. And speaking of discovery, many of us are finding time to play the guitar that’s been sitting in the corner, pull out that sketchbook and renew a love of drawing or find a new author recommended by a friend. Occupying our stay-at-home hours with the world of creativity available online both connects us and lifts our spirits!
Arts South Dakota shares new online arts experiences weekly on our Facebook page, email calendars and the South Dakota arts calendar on our website. You can also post updates about arts events at www.ArtsSouthDakota.org.
